Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-05-05
For the Christian Observer.
The Late Rev. DR.. St0ddert.
BY REV. W. II. VERNON, d D..

The Late Rev. DIR. StOddert.
| BY REV. W. II. VERNON, d d.
Messrs. Editors Permit me, in
memory of one who has recently
passed over the food, to record my
high appreciation of the personal
worth and great usefulness of the
late DR.. William Stoddert, who re-
Gently died in Mexico, Mo. About
the year 1868 he came to Giles coun-
ty, in middle Tennessee, having about
sixty colored people in bis charge.
He leased part of the farm of Mr..
S. B. Marsh, ON the Lewisburg and
Cornersville turnpike road, where he
spent several years providing for
these colored peoples wants, and
giving them a habitation, food, cloth
ing and money, the full results Of
their labor. 1t is not known that he
ever realized any pecuniary benefit
from these wards, having undertaken
to provide for them, at the request of
a beloved aunt, afterward the wife of
Gen. Ewell, of Spring Hill, -Tennes-
see, Zone of Mr.. Stoddeit's brothers, J
who had claims upon him for favors
shown him in his youth, He provided
for these colored wards during the
late years of the war and after their
emancipation, never having given any
one of them Il stroke, or having ut
tered to them an unkind word. He
soas their Moses
Being at the time only "a lieentiate
of one of the Presbyteries of Virginia,
be placed himself under the care of
the Presbytery of North Alabama
then made up Of two Presbyteries
(North Alabama and Maury,) the for
mer retaining the name according to
the terms of union between The united
Synod Of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America, and
the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church in the Confederate
States of America.
Mr. Stoddert became minister in
charge of Brick church and Lynn
vile, in Giles county, (where he
preached for several years,) both of
which fourished under his preaching.
He was a most interesting snd pow
erful preacher of the gospel, and
though he scarcely ever raised his
eyes from his manuscript, he en-
chained his audience with his magic
eloquence and stirring thoughts. His
gesticulation was unique, generally
made with his head. Now and then
with his right arm and index finger,
he made impressive burning thought.
He never preached lengthy sermon.
1t may be confidently asserted, no
one ever heard him without profit,
nor without desiring to hear him
again.
1t was soon noised abroad that a
great preacher was in the Brick
church neighborhood, and Mr.. Stod-
dert was in demand in every direc-
ton. HIS eccentrlcities were herald
ed before he came to place. Public
interest was on tiptoe. Once heard
he held, and afterwards drew larger
congregations by his powerful pre-
sentations of truth. He lived scan
tily and dressed plainly.
When he first came to Lewisburg,
where the writer was in charge Of the
Presbyterian church, the congrega-
ton, having assembled early, were
much surprised at his appearance.
Many looked askance at each other.
whilst some of other churches twit-
ted their Presbyterian neighbors al
having such looking preacher. This
all vanished, however, at the glow Of
his preaching and impressions. The
writer heard him preach wonder
full sermon from the text t'TeraL
died in Haran.''
| Mr.. Stoddert was great teacher,
and exercised this gift at Brick
church and at Lynnville. He put oil
his young men on their honor, and
seldom aad cause for disciplinary
treatment. He prepared many young
men for useful vocations in life. 1t
is known that two young men were
thoroughly prepared for college Dy
him, and afterwards graduated Win
honor, both took thorough tneo-
,,,,,.-.t .s,prs. II heeame ministers
o. the GOSPEL n .he sou-hsE7 Pres
byterisp Church. One is settled st
by this writer iuto the communion OF
the church Of his fathers.
Bfr. Stoddert would never receive
money or gifts as compensation for
"a -. - - t.a An,r.xh